Founder of Chan Buddhism

  • Originated from Indian monk named Bodhidharma (came to China in 440 B.C._
  • Talked to Emperor Wu, attempted to change the incorrect ways of Buddhism that Wu was following.
  • Went through 9 years of meditation, cutting off his eyelids to prevent himself from sleeping.
  • Invented Kung-fu in a Shaolin temple.
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What is Chan Buddhism?

  • less dogmatic and taught enlightenment could be attained directly by mediation practice and realization of one’s nature.
  • spread to Tibet, Burma, Japan, but in different forms.
  • Chan sect was established by Bodhidarma during 6th century, departed from Mahayana foundation.
  • Leaders : Hui-Neng (sudden enlightenment), Shen-hsi (gradual enlightenment)
  • Enlightenment cannot be acheived through good deed/ thoughts because all thoughts are illusory, including the study of sutras, cultivation of morality, and avoidance of evil.
  • avoid dogma, ritualism, and three baskets (discipline, discourse, and higher philosophy
  • Sees scriptural authority as being unable to express religious truth (it can only be realized by mind)
  • meditation helps one to achieve clarity and to see one’s true nature.


Key Dates

  • 495 CE - Batuo introduced Mahayana Buddhism to China
  • 516-526 CE - Damo introduce Dhayana school of Buddhism
  • 661 CE - Hui-Neng became the sixth patriarch, founding the "Souther School"; and Shen-hsi also claimed transmission, forming the "Northern School."
  • 701 CE - Shen Hsui recieves support of the Empress Wu, preaching in Lo-yang and Chang'an.
  • 845 CE - Persecution and destruction of Buddhist temples and documents by Taoist Emperor Emperor Wu-tsung of the T'ang dynasty, called the Hui-ch'ang persecution
  • 10th-13th century -Tang and Song dynasties, Buddhism had a popular following.
  • 12th and 13th century - Movement of Cao'dong sect teachings by Dogen (Rinzai) and Linji sect by Elsai (Soto) to Japan to become Zen Buddhism
  • 15th and 16th centuries - Period of dormancy for the movement.
  • 17th century - Scholastic revival of Chan Buddhism, non-ascetic style of meditation
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shaolin.gif
This symbol represents the shaolin monks of china. These monks nowadays study the arts of kungfu. They live in monasteries in the mountains.

Citation
  1. "Chan Buddhism." Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism: Thai Exotic Treasures - Gifts and Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. <http://www.thaiexotictreasures.com/chan_buddhism.html>.
  2. "Chan Buddhism." Mahalo. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. <http://www.mahalo.com/chan-buddhism/>.